Community Right to Bid protects 100 buildings and green spaces in Cornwall

Godolphin Methodist Church has become the 100th community asset in Cornwall to be protected by Community Right to Bid legislation, which aims to give people a say over development in their area.

More than 3,000 properties nationwide are protected under the legislation. In Cornwall they include pubs, village shops and halls, playing fields and even a fisherman’s shelter.

Community Right to Bid gives town and parish councils and community groups the chance to bid for local assets like recreation grounds and community centres if and when they come up for sale. Groups nominate local land and buildings that are mainly used to benefit the community to be listed as assets of community value by Cornwall Council.

Assets stay on the list for up to five years. If an asset is offered for sale during this time, local community groups have up to six months to raise the money to make a bid to buy the asset on the open market. The sale takes place under normal market conditions and the owner has no obligation to sell to a community group.

Jeremy Rowe, Cornwall Council’s Localism Portfolio Holder, said: “It’s great to see communities in Cornwall taking up their rights and nominating the land and buildings they care about. Our Communities and Devolution team can advise groups on what can and can’t be nominated and how to go about getting an asset listed. There’s also plenty of advice on our website.

“While Community Right to Bid can’t guarantee that all of these assets end up in community hands, it ensures that local groups have time to raise the money to compete on an equal footing with private buyers. This means there’s a better chance of retaining the places that are important to our communities.”